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The past few months have been
exciting and productive ones for the Trams for Bath group.
In April we met with B&NES council officers and representatives
of the Western Riverside Development, Sainsburys and the Regional
Development Agency, to discuss how a study of trams could be put
into action.
WESTERN RIVERSIDE - THE KEY
A better public transport system for Bath is seen as a key factor
in the redevelopment of the Western Riverside. At present, the
site has enormous potential but progress is severely hampered
by lack of good transport links.
As the result of this meeting, a brief for a tramway pre-feasibility
study was put out for consultants to tender.
TIME PRESSURE
It is important to get this study completed in time for the results
to be included in the Local Transport Plan before the end of July.
Without at least some statement in the plan, to the effect that
trams are being considered, any future progress could be blocked
for up to five years.
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED
With this time pressure driving us forwards, a second meeting
was held a few days later; this time with council officers and
councillors representing the three major parties. We reviewed
the tenders received, and, after much discussion of relative merits,
appointed Hyder Consulting to undertake the pre-feasibility study.
THE STUDY BEGINS
Hyder responded promptly with a meeting two days later, to discuss
with council officers the traffic data and other information they
needed; and the way in which they were to set about analysing
it. They clearly felt the government's NATA (New Approach to Appraisal)
criteria were of paramount importance in determining the true
impact of any new public transport system on the city.
WALKING THE ROUTES
Most of the information the consultants required from Trams for
Bath was already on our website, but there was no substitute for
a day spent walking around looking at where the tracks could be
fitted in. In a steady day-long downpour, the technical details
were discussed on a metre by metre basis around the entire City
Centre Circle. Parts of the Twerton, Weston, Lansdown, Batheaston
and Newbridge routes were also examined in detail.
The critical Western Riverside area was studied, with particular
attention to the means of linking it to the rest of Bath without
becoming entangled in the existing traffic problem.
WHAT NEXT
At the time of writing, the consultants should be well into compiling
their report, they have to meet a final submission deadline at
the end of June.
If our plans turn out to be seriously flawed (this seems most
unlikely in the light of the consultant's interest), the fact
that this study has taken place will show that B&NES is fulfilling
its obligation to look at all possible solutions to Bath's traffic
problem .
If the report is favourable, as we feel confident it will be,
it should then go forward to form part of the Local Transport
Plan for Bath. This will be lodged with the appropriate Minister
and could form the basis for future funding applications.
FAVOURABLE CLIMATE
There has not been a better time to apply for for tramway funding
in the last 100 years. So many cities have now identified trams
as the answer to their traffic problems that the government is
at last being forced to admit to their potential as the ultimate
cost-effective, long-term solution.
The Western Riverside area of
Bath is potentially one of the most important and desirable 'brownfield'
sites in the country, possibly even in Europe. The future of its
development and the prosperity it could bring to Bath depend critically
on a good transport infrastructure.
The Trams for Bath plans would serve this area with 3 major routes
and connect it to the rest of the city and all the Park + Ride
sites.
On June 14 we plan a walk around the Western Riverside to examine
the area from a transport viewpoint and show how trams can generate
a quality environment which will attract investment and regeneration.
The B&NES planning guidelines are
beginning to take shape and a discussion of these during the walk
will make for an interesting and lively evening.
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CROYDON OPEN
The Croydon Tramlink system is now
open and fully operational. At intervals throughout May, there
have been various ceremonies as different parts of the system
opened for public
service.
Two of our committee members,
Peter Provest and Brian Lomas were in London for the opening day.
They both rode on the trams and reported that they were most impressed
with the smoothness of the ride and the
operation in general.
The Whitgif Shopping Centre in
central Croydon has reported a 23% increase in shoppers since
the
opening of the tramway and the number of cars parking on Saturdays
has fallen by 12%, according to the
Croydon Advertiser.
An automatic camera has been displaying aerial views of part of
Croydon on the internet. The pictures are updated every few seconds
and the progress of the trams can be clearly followed.
See:: http://www.hotgen.co.uk/webcam.html
TREASURER
Keith Berry has taken on the job of
Treasurer, his offer was unanimously accepted by the committee
and we are pleased to welcome him 'on board'.
PULLMAN T.P.L.
Colin Robinson, designer of the
Pullman T.P.L. tram, has informed us that the prototype will soon
be brought back from Blackpool to the company's works in Cardiff.
There it will be
refurbished as a display model for
demonstration to potential customers.
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T f B Committee
Secretary: Adrian Tuddenham, 88, Mount Road, Southdown, Bath
BA2 1LH 01225 335974e-atudd@bathtram.demon.co.uk
Treasurer: Keith Berry, Canon Hold Cottage, Church Walk, Melksham
SN12 6LY
Admin Officer: Jenny Sutherland, 27, Purlewent Drive, Bath. BA1
4AZ
Acting Chairman: Derrick Hunt, 43,Greenland Mills,Bradford-on-Avon,
Wilts. BA15 1BL
Helen Cox,
Jeff Kenyon
Sue Langdon
Brian Lomas,
Jeremy Paterson-Fox
Peter Provest